Flowers of the Summer

August 11, 20169 yr

After removing covers on newly germinating seed batches this morning, i noticed how much the Sun had moved south in just the past few weeks. Hard to believe it is already mid August.

Despite the fact that this corner of town keeps missing out on some fairly good rainfall, (by Phoenix standards) this Monsoon season, the extra humidity in the air has helped heal some of the heat damage suffered earlier on. Regardless of the challenges the sun here in Arizona presents this time of year, the parade of color continues on, minus the Plumeria this year. Then again, if it stays warm enough( but not 110+), perhaps some will offer up a late season show.. For now, enjoy some summer color. :greenthumb:

Ehinopsis subdunata " Fuzzy Navel", ( #1) and "Dominoes" (#2) Other than Petal width/length, pretty much the same animal. Flowers in cycles all summer.

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Echinopsis Hybrids "Sorceress" (Darker Magenta/Purple) and "Marie Piazza" ( Lighter Lavender Purple) ..Waterlilies, with spines?

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Odds and ends: Hibiscus "Hawaiian Sunset", Cordia Parvifloia, Guaiacum sanctum.. No issues with the heat here so far for this Lignum Vitae species.

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Regional/Sonoran Sub Tropicals/ New stuff.. Ragged Nettle Spurge, ( Jatropha macrorrhiza) Matelea tristiflora.. Not sure if this Sonoran Milk Vine species has an official common name yet, Caesaplinia pumila, Texas Tea/ Pyramid Bush ( Melochia pyramidata)

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White Indigo Berry (Randia aculeata) ..Another species in the "Florida Trials" group that has done well here thus far. Small as the flowers are, the Fragrance is rewarding up close.

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-Nathan

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August 12, 20169 yr

19 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Echinopsis Hybrids "Sorceress" (Darker Magenta/Purple) and "Marie Piazza" ( Lighter Lavender Purple) ..Waterlilies, with spines?

Reminiscent in some ways of an epiphyllum blossom. All very nice color. I presume that the reason your plumeria's aren't blooming was damage from the earlier extreme heat?

33.0782 North -117.305 West at 72 feet elevation

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August 12, 20169 yr

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19 minutes ago, Tracy said:

Reminiscent in some ways of an epiphyllum blossom. All very nice color. I presume that the reason your plumeria's aren't blooming was damage from the earlier extreme heat?

Thanks Tracy.. Agree, very similar to Epis, i think there has been some attempt to cross Echinopsis with Epi Cacti species in the past.

As for the Plumeria,.. yes, while they looked unfazed at first, the fact that we went from a stretch of temperatures averaging between the mid 80s/lower 90s all spring, to 110's-120sF suddenly really took its toll on any flowers, or developing inflos that were on the plants at the time. Also had to cut out tips that were badly sun burnt.

Part of the problem also has to do with the direction the yard faces, (West) and the lack of larger trees in most of the yard. Aside from a big Mesquite in the S.W. corner, there are a couple neglected Lemons, and a messy Lead Tree ( Leucanea leucocephala) that offers very little shade. To my surprise, it also burned up during the heat, further reducing any potential canopy it might provide. It and the ugliest of the lemons will be taken down and replaced with another Mesquite and a couple other trees to help create enough canopy in the yard, and help reduce the worst of the afternoon sun.

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August 12, 20169 yr

I love how you can grow this amazing flowers in a place like a Hell.

:greenthumb:

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August 13, 20169 yr

Great pictures!

I'm getting hungry, gonna have to kill something and eat it raw . . . . :drool:

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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August 13, 20169 yr

4 hours ago, DoomsDave said:

Great pictures!

I'm getting hungry, gonna have to kill something and eat it raw . . . .

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/choosing-and-using-edible-flowers-ag-790

This link is for you Dave, hold your appetite until you have read it. A highlight:

CAUTIONS

Not all flowers are edible! Some are poisonous, others may have been exposed to viral or fungal pathogens through the use of animal manures as fertilizers, and still others may have been sprayed with pesticides not approved for plants intended for consumption.

33.0782 North -117.305 West at 72 feet elevation

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August 13, 20169 yr

10 hours ago, Tracy said:

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/choosing-and-using-edible-flowers-ag-790

This link is for you Dave, hold your appetite until you have read it. A highlight:

CAUTIONS

Not all flowers are edible! Some are poisonous, others may have been exposed to viral or fungal pathogens through the use of animal manures as fertilizers, and still others may have been sprayed with pesticides not approved for plants intended for consumption.

Great point.

I was being silly and sarcastic in that post. I meant that the flowers looked delicious. Nevertheless I applaud the follow up quote!

Mother said "Don't eat any plants that aren't food!" and she was more right than she could ever know. Plants can produce some deadly poisons, including Ricin, from the castor bean plant, which is a terrorist weapon in the U.S.

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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August 13, 20169 yr

1 minute ago, DoomsDave said:

I was being silly and sarcastic in that post.

I was too Dave.... I was picturing you in the garden, just going from plant to plant like a bee or humming bird, but instead of carefully removing nectar from flowers, just chomping them. Kind of like I imagine dinosaurs chomping on tasty, but poisonous to mammals, cycad leaves.

33.0782 North -117.305 West at 72 feet elevation

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August 13, 20169 yr

2 minutes ago, Tracy said:

I was too Dave.... I was picturing you in the garden, just going from plant to plant like a bee or humming bird, but instead of carefully removing nectar from flowers, just chomping them. Kind of like I imagine dinosaurs chomping on tasty, but poisonous to mammals, cycad leaves.

Well, good!

Maybe someone should start a thread on poisonous plants anyway?

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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August 13, 20169 yr

Author

1 hour ago, Tracy said:

I was too Dave.... I was picturing you in the garden, just going from plant to plant like a bee or humming bird, but instead of carefully removing nectar from flowers, just chomping them. Kind of like I imagine dinosaurs chomping on tasty, but poisonous to mammals, cycad leaves.

:floor: Picturing almost the same thing.. Question is, will one find Dave in the yard collecting Morning Glory flowers for a "special" Salad, or pacing the garden, trying to decide which palm to harvest for some Palm Hearts.. I hear Butch is terrified. :mrlooney: